Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education program provides several options for students interested in the care and education of young children. Students in the program have opportunities to participate in a variety of community early childhood programs, including Head Start centers, kindergarten classrooms, voluntary four-year-old programs and child care centers. Whenever possible, experience in inclusive and diverse settings will be encouraged.

Students planning to pursue an Early Childhood Education degree at a four-year institution follow the Liberal Arts program requirements while at Kirkwood, completing general education and elective courses that prepare them for transfer. Students hoping to start their careers without transferring should work with the Early Childhood Education advisor to choose from the Associate of Applied Science degree, diploma and certificate options.

Kirkwood has articulation agreements with a number of institutions offering degrees in early childhood. By working with your advisor in Early Childhood Education, you can select courses that will meet the requirements of your transfer institution such as foreign language, laboratory science, diversity and grade point average.

Early Childhood Education (Diploma)Students in the Early Childhood Education A.A.S. program may elect to receive this diploma after completing the courses below. Please consult with the Social Sciences Department for more information regarding this option.

Early Childhood Paraeducator (Certificate)Students in the Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science program may elect to receive an Early Childhood Paraeducator certificate after completing the A.A.S. degree requirements. This certificate complements the Early Childhood Education program by offering additional classes for those students pursuing a career as an early childhood teacher or provider. The Early Childhood Paraeducator certificate also fulfills the educational requirement for those working toward an infant/toddler or preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) administrated by the Council for Professional recognition in Washington D.C. and meets the requirements for clock hours of formal child care education required for the CDA credential. Please consult with the Social Sciences department for more information regarding this option.

Career opportunities: lead teachers; assistant teachers; paraeducators; early childhood program directors and child care providers in a variety of early childhood programs including child care centers; child development homes; preschools and Head Start programs.